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Combined insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/interleukin-6 (Premaquick) versus fetal fibronectin for
Amarachukwu C Asiegbu1, George U Eleje2,3, Emmanuel M Ibeneme1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria.
Insights
Premaquick, a combined test, demonstrated higher accuracy than fetal fibronectin (Ffn) in predicting preterm delivery within 14 days for women with threatened preterm labor.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Preterm delivery is a significant global health concern.
- Accurate prediction of preterm delivery is crucial for timely intervention.
- Current diagnostic tools like fetal fibronectin (Ffn) have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy of Premaquick, a novel combined biomarker test, against fetal fibronectin (Ffn) for predicting preterm delivery.
- To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of both tests in symptomatic women.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted with 175 women experiencing threatened preterm labor between 28 and 36+6 weeks of gestation.
- Cervico-vaginal fluid samples were analyzed using Premaquick and Ffn tests.
- Women were followed for 14 days to assess delivery outcomes and compare test performance.
Main Results:
- Premaquick showed significantly higher sensitivity (96.3% vs 51.9%) and positive predictive value (PPV) (89.7% vs 87.5%) compared to Ffn for predicting preterm delivery within 14 days.
- Both tests demonstrated high accuracy (Premaquick 97.3%, Ffn 90.0%), with Premaquick exhibiting superior performance in key predictive metrics.
- Fetal fibronectin (Ffn) had slightly higher specificity (98.4% vs 97.6%).
Conclusions:
- Premaquick demonstrates superior accuracy, sensitivity, and PPV in predicting preterm delivery compared to Ffn.
- Premaquick represents a promising and potentially more effective alternative for preterm delivery prediction in symptomatic women, especially in resource-limited settings.
- The findings support the clinical utility of Premaquick for early identification of women at high risk for imminent preterm birth.
Objectives:
To compare accuracy between Premaquick (combined test for native insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), total IGFBP-1, and interleukin-6) and fetal fibronectin (Ffn) in predicting preterm delivery.
Methods:
Prospective study among women at 28-36+6 gestational weeks with threatened preterm labor attending Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Nigeria, from August 2017 to February 2019. Cervico-vaginal fluids were collected and tested by Premaquick and Ffn tests. The women were followed for 14 days. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative (NPV) and positive (PPV) predictive value for delivery were compared between the tests.
Results:
Among 213 women assessed for eligibility, 183 were enrolled and 175 completed the study. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of the Premaquick versus Ffn tests were, respectively, 96.3% versus 51.9%, 97.6% versus 98.4%, 89.7% versus 87.5%, 99.2% versus 90.3% and 97.3% versus 90.0% for preterm delivery within 14 days. Ffn had higher specificity (98.5% vs 97.8%; P>0.99), but Premaquick had higher PPV (92.7% vs 90.9%; P>0.99).
Conclusion:
Both tests seem to have high utility in predicting preterm delivery, but Premaquick showed higher accuracy in terms of sensitivity and PPV. Premaquick might be a feasible alternative to Ffn for predicting preterm delivery among symptomatic women in a low-income setting.
